The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has called upon Italy to bolster its anti-corruption measures, particularly targeting top executive functions (PTEFs) and law enforcement agencies. This recommendation stems from a new evaluation report released on Wednesday. The report aligns with the European Commission’s annual rule of law report in highlighting a persistent decline in the rule of law across several EU member states, including Italy.
According to GRECO, Italy’s existing legal framework for preventing and combating corruption is extensive but overly complicated, which undermines its efficiency. Notably, Italy lacks a unified integrity framework applicable to all PTEFs. The report from GRECO specifically evaluates entities such as the President of the Council of Ministers, ministers, undersecretaries of state, extraordinary and special commissioners, and members of direct collaboration offices. Law enforcement agencies scrutinized include the State Police, the Carabinieri, and the Guardia di Finanza.
GRECO’s recommendations for high-level government officials primarily focus on preventing conflicts of interest, enhancing transparency, and establishing robust ethical standards. For law enforcement agencies, the emphasis is on strengthening internal controls, promoting diversity, and fostering a culture of integrity. The Council of Europe acknowledged that while Italy has made strides in developing anti-corruption measures, there is still significant room for improvement.
Per Article 30.2 of GRECO’s rules of procedure, Italy is required to provide a follow-up report by September 30, 2025, detailing the measures taken to address GRECO’s 19 recommendations. The forthcoming evaluation will be part of GRECO’s compliance procedure, serving as the second phase of its monitoring process.